One common question every pre-season centres around the bargain picks in AFL Fantasy.

As Fantasy coaches shuffle the names on their whiteboards, they ponder who are the players who might be ready to take the next step to senior level, that can be picked up on the cheap?

Dan Robinson is one who may fit the bill, with a change of role paying dividends for the third year Swan.

After being rookie listed from the QBE Swans Academy in 2012, Robinson spent his first two years on the Swans’ list playing and staring in the midfield in the NEAFL.

This pre-season, however, Robinson has been moved into the forward line and is earning high praise from his teammates and coaches for his performance on the training track.

Swans coach John Longmire has earmarked Robinson to be one of the club’s big improvers this year and potentially follow in the footsteps of Harry Cunningham and Jake Lloyd who impressed in the senior team last year.

“Dan’s had a terrific pre-season,” Longmire said.

“We know he’s been a good midfielder, he played a lot in our reserves as a midfielder and did a really good job there.

“He probably would’ve played last year if he had the opportunity if he was on the senior list.

“This year, he’s had another really good pre-season, particularly as a smart half-forward – he uses the ball well, he can mark overhead and he’s a good kick for goal.”

While obviously pleased his efforts are being noticed, Robinson isn’t going to alter the way he goes about his footy for the remainder of pre-season.

The 20-year-old, who was elevated to the senior list in last year’s draft, is determined to keep his head down and continue to put in the hard work particularly with matches on the horizon.

“It’s obviously encouraging hearing that sort of stuff but it’s not something I tend to read into too much,” Robinson said.

“It’s more about continually putting in good performances on the training track and when game time such as the NAB Challenge comes around, you want to be putting your hand up the highest so you get picked, so that’s all I’m focusing on at the moment.”

Learning the craft of a small forward has been made easier for Robinson by the assistance of his mentor Jarrad McVeigh.

The Swans’ co-captain has played as a midfielder, small forward and rebounding defender throughout his career and has provided plenty of advice over summer for the up and coming Robinson.

It’s not just the 244-game veteran he’s learning from, with the Swans’ tall forwards proving to be just as beneficial.

“You’ve got Tippo and Buddy out there and when you’re working with them they always tell you little tricks that they use and you can always apply that into whichever position you’re in,” he said.

“Also guys like BJ (Brandon Jack) and Deano (Dean Towers) who have played a lot more as a small forward who around my age group, I’ve been talking to as well, and Harry Cunningham, so that’s been really helpful to be able to pick their brains about the position.”

Having got a taste of senior football in last year’s NAB Challenge, Robinson is doing everything possible to get a call up for the club’s first hit-out against Brisbane in Coffs Harbour on March 6.

“It’s a step up playing in the NAB Challenge from intra-club and then obviously it’s another step again playing at AFL level,” he said.

“So it’s about building that resume and putting that hand up to play and I’m going to go full bore ahead to play every minute and hopefully when the season comes around I’m putting in the right performances.”